The Importance of Hiring a Good General Contractor

It doesn’t matter how great your architect is or how beautiful the plans are — your project won’t live up to its full potential unless you have a good general contractor. The architect is like a composer creating the score for a symphony, but the contractor is the conductor who brings it to life.

During the early stages of a project, your primary relationship is with the architect (and possibly an interior designer). Once construction begins, the general contractor (GC) takes the lead, coordinating the day-to-day work. As the architect, I take more of a supporting role during this phase — visiting the job site in an advisory or collaborative capacity.

What I’m looking for during construction is that the GC follows the plans and executes the details as drawn. Unfortunately, some budget contractors cut corners, choosing cheaper methods over better ones. As a homeowner, you’ve invested in an architect to bring your vision to life and increase your property value — if your contractor doesn’t follow the plans, you’re not only wasting money, you’re getting an inferior result.

While construction may seem straightforward, it actually requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail — from scheduling skilled trades to securing materials at the right time. A good contractor will enhance your property’s value and improve your quality of life. A bad one can do serious damage, both to your home and your finances.

Finding a good contractor can be tricky, but if you’ve hired an architect, you have access to their trusted network. I help my clients through the bidding process to find a contractor who fits their budget, timeline, and personality. It’s incredibly important that the owners, GC, and architect all trust each other and communicate well. Even relatively small projects can take several months, while large remodels or additions may take a year or more — so teamwork and trust are essential.

Tips for Hiring a General Contractor:

1. Solicit multiple bids.


Send your drawings to three GCs. This ensures you get a realistic price, even if in the end your negotiate a price with one GC. Preparing a bid takes significant time, so limiting bidding to three GCs shows respect for their effort and keeps the process focused.

2. Compare bids carefully.


Every GC structures their bid differently. Creating a comparison spreadsheet can help you spot gaps — for example, one GC might include cabinetry costs while another doesn’t. Filling in missing allowances ensures you’re comparing apples to apples.

3. Check references and visit completed projects.


Talk to past clients, especially those whose projects are 5–10 years old. Time reveals workmanship quality. If issues arose, how did the GC handle them? A reputable contractor addresses problems responsibly and works well with the entire team — homeowners, architects, designers, and engineers.

4. Beware “estimated” bids.


While material prices fluctuate, bids with estimated labor costs are red flags. Lowball bids often lead to excessive change orders once construction starts. That “cheapest” contractor may ultimately cost as much as — or more than — your highest bidder.

5. Choose someone you trust.


Once construction begins, changing contractors midstream is extremely difficult and risky. A new GC may not want to assume liability for someone else’s unfinished work.

6. Use your architect as a resource.


Most GCs bill based on milestones. If you’re unsure whether those milestones have been met, your architect can help verify progress before you make payments.

7. Hold back funds until completion.


Keep a small reserve until you’ve received your certificate of occupancy and all punch-list items are complete.

8. Protect yourself legally.


In California, GCs can request a maximum deposit of 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. At project completion, ask the GC and all subcontractors for unconditional lien waivers to prevent future claims against your property.

9. Verify insurance coverage.


Ask your GC for a certificate of insurance — $1 million per occurrence is typical. You can also request insurance certificates from key subcontractors.

10. Be realistic about cost and schedule.


Construction is one of the last truly bespoke professions — much of the work is custom, crafted specifically for you. That takes time and money. Stay involved in site visits and decision-making. While your architect and GC can handle many details, some choices are deeply personal and benefit from your input.

Given that most people’s homes are their single biggest asset, why risk it on the cheapest bid? Hire a skilled, trustworthy general contractor — your project, your home, and your peace of mind will thank you.